Connecticut Swimming, Inc.
Program Development  Committee - June 8, 1999


Present: Steve Carroll, Bev Medlin, Mary Lynch, Bill Krumm, Nan Cooper, Mary Anne Condon, Lauren Taft, George Miles, Ken Block, Bill Ball, Tim Quill, Ann Gawlak, Carol Navarro, Jeff Allen.


Long Course Championships  -- Age Groups - Nan Cooper asked if the new Jr. National cut restriction for Age Group championships applied to the 12/U age group. Though the motion passed made no reference to age, it was decided to follow the same eligibility rules as is used for zone teams. That is, a 12/U with a Jr. national cut may enter that event at AG's only if they have not previously attended a Junior national meet. Seniors  - the following motions were made and passed regarding senior championships:
1. Swimmers will be limited to a maximum of 3 events/day and six events in total, effective with the 99 LC Senior Championship.
2. A bell (instead of a horn) will be used to signal the final lap for all distance events.
3. Championship heats at finals will be designated as A, B, and C Finals Heats rather than Championship, Consolation, and Bonus Heats.
4. The whistle procedure for calling up and closing the next heat, in place for national championship meets, will be used at senior championships.
5. There will be an additional award for the male and female distance event high point winner.
Regionals - the current entry limitation of 3 events/day and 6 events/meet were discussed, though no changes were made.

Survey of Age Group Coaches - Bev Medlin reported on the results of the coaches survey taken at SC Age Group championships. Approximately 15 coaches responded to the survey with a 2/3 majority favoring to keep the monthly age group qualifier meets in the SC schedule. 

CAT/Swim For Hunger Meet --  Carolyn Navarro, on behalf of the Cougar Aquatic Team, appealed to CSI to allow CAT to run their Swim For Hunger Meet on the weekend of Jan. 8 & 9, 2000. Carolyn stated that CAT had (long ago) signed an agreement with Wesleyan University for that particular weekend and re-scheduling the meet was not possible. She also stated that the meet had attracted some out-of-state teams, which CAT did not want to lose, and that she asked that CSI reconsider the 99-00 SC schedule for age group qualifiers. After considerable discussion, the following compromise was reached:
1. CAT will be allowed to run their Swim for Hunger Meet on the weekend of Jan. 8-9, 2000.
2. CAT must run all of the prescribed AGQ events, though not necessarily in the order stated.
3. The meet will be open to out-of-state teams though there must be an early entry deadline for CT teams.
4. CAT must run all of prescribed AGQ order-of-events, though not necessarily in the order stated.
5. This compromise is for this year (99-00) only.

Children on Deck -   The issue of young children (non-swimmers) on deck came up. At a recent swim meet, a coach, carrying a small child in an infant pouch,  was asked to not to have the child on deck with them as there was some safety concerns. The general feeling among committee members was that if infants are allowed on deck (with coaches or any other adults involved with the running of a swim meet), that CSI could be held at fault if someone was hurt. Current CSI policy is that only athletes, coaches, officials, or individuals involved with the running of the swim meet are permitted on deck. Bill Krumm was asked to research and report back (in July) on the policy developed by the USA Swimming Safety Committee. 

Displaying Coaching Credentials on Deck - a suggestion was made that coaches be required to display their credentials and have them checked at all meets. It was agreed that the current policy of asking coaches to "check in" was sufficient and that it will be added to the Meet manager's Guide. As well, hosting teams can (and often do) issue some sort of deck ID to identify properly certified coaches.



Canadian Style Starts (a.k.a. "Fly-over Starts") - this style of starting, whereby one heat is called up on the blocks before the prior heat has finished, and started after the last finisher of the prior heat touches the wall was discussed. It is a method often used to shorten the time-lime of a meet. Before this style of start could be approved, it was decided that a procedural write-up should be done, in addition to specifically training officials in the use of this technique and possibly designating a trial meet at which to experiment with this start.

Open Water Swimming Championships - Steve reported that he has still been unable to secure a location for this event. Lake Coventry in Coventry, CT may be available. The lake has a "quiet" period every Sunday afternoon during the summer when boats are not allowed on the lake, and thus, an open water swim event would be possible. Steve has still not heard definitely whether the lake will be available. Assuming that it is, approvals from the local 1st Selectman's office, Police Chief, and the State DEP (Parks Dept.) must be acquired. Lake Quassapaug in Middlebury was mentioned as a possible alternate site.